MOTIVATION: The first line of protecting firefighters is preventing the fire from occurring. This can be accomplished, in part, from an aggressive fire prevention and public fire safety education program that involves everyone in the department.

OBJECTIVE (SPO):

The firefighter will demonstrate a general knowledge of fire prevention and public fire safety education as it relates to the operational firefighter.

OVERVIEW:

REINVENTING FIRE PREVENTION

* Why Reinvent

* Benefits

* Home Fire Safety Inspections

REINVENTING FIRE PREVENTION

SPO: The firefighter will demonstrate a general knowledge of fire prevention and public fire safety education as it relates to the operational firefighter.

EO 1-1 Identify some of the reasons for reinventing fire prevention in the operational fire service.

EO 1-2 Identify the benefits of a public fire safety education program as an effective community relations tool.

EO 1-3 Identify the elements of a home fire safety inspection program.

I. WHY REINVENT (EO 1-1)

A. Reduce the loss of life and property due to fire

1. Reduce the loss of life of individuals over the age of 65

2. Reduce the loss of life of individuals under the age of 14

3. Reduce the loss of life of the poor and disadvantaged

B. Reduce firefighter death and injuries - reducing the incidents of fires can reduce the opportunity for a fireground death or injury

C. Reduce fire insurance premiums for property owners

D. Reduce the economic loss

1. A fire may cause an employer to close temporarily or permanently

2. A fire may put employees temporarily or permanently out of work

3. Businesses that depend on the damaged business will suffer

4. Revenue (taxes) for governmental operations will be reduced

E. Improve public relations

1. Fire department is more visible in the community in a non-emergency environment

2. Opportunity for closer contact with the public

F. Be pro-active in preventing fires

1. Make fire prevention a year-round activity rather than one week out of the year

2. Show the seriousness of the department in preventing fires

3. Get everyone in the department involved and not just the fire prevention personnel

4. Get out of the stations and into the public areas

G. Reduce fire department operating expenses

1. Reducing fire alarm responses reduces fuel costs

2. Potential for less wear-and-tear on the apparatus thereby reducing maintenance and repair costs

3. Apparatus may last longer thereby improving the return on capital investment

While fire prevention and code enforcement may be the primary responsibility of the fire prevention organization in a department, it is the responsibility of everyone in the department. While fire prevention may not be as glamorous as firefighting it is more rewarding when you do not have to look at someone who has loss their property or even worse the life of a loved one.